Out in the Mountains

 from page 1

According to Bekah Perks, a spokes-
person for Outright Vermont, there is very
little support in high schools for gay, les-
bian, or bisexual teenagers or those ques-
tioning their sexuality. Kids have reported
being beaten up, harassed and ostracized.
Perks explained the feelings of fear and loss
of self-esteem that occur when gay teens
are surrounded on a daily basis by rampant
homophobia - including derogatory state-
ments, physical threats and a lack of any
positive images of gay people. Further-
more, issues around sexuality are often
associated with teen suicides, alcohol/drug
abuse, and runaways.

Through this program, Outright Ver-
mont hopes to change the atmosphere for
teenage sexual minorities. They feel it is
important to connect with teenagers, let
them know that there are positive adult role
models out there, and give them informa-
tion to which they may not otherwise have
access. Being visible for teenagers may
help decrease feelings of fear and isolation.
Creating an environment where educators
can be supportive and sympathetic to gay
teenagers is also a part of their agenda.

The group is presently working on
getting funding, writing grants and more
formulating the specifics of their outreach

 

program. Perks explained that they would
eventually like to hire a coordinator to do
the actual outreach work, training, and
organizing of volunteers. Future plans also
include the possibility of a state-wide hot-
line, support for teens, and a central loca-
tion where teenagers may have access to
books, films, and information.

Anyone interested in participating in
Outright Vermont is invited to attend the
next meeting. People of all ages and sexual
orientation are welcome. The group meets
on the third Wednesday of every month at
7 p.m. For more information, write Out-
right VT, PO Box 4175, Burl. VT 05406-
4 175 .

Health from page 7

So along with the new language of the
‘90’s comes a term for the “dental dam.”
Submissions so far have included “labia
leaf,” “Venus veil,” “bikini betweenie,” and
“condone.” The term needs to be accessible
and applicable to all women--straight, les-
bian or bi-sexual. Any entrant requesting
one will be sent a dam. There is a grand
prize of adeluxe vibrator andasecondprize
of For-Play lubricant, which contains non-
yxonol-9, an agent which kills HIV. The
deadline for entries is May 15, 1989. Send
yours in to ACT UP Cuntest, 496A Hudson
St., Suite G4, New York, NY 10014.

 from page 1

and feels even worse to someone you love
willbehurt by your sharing the truth of you;
very being. But coming out to the woman
who loves you is an act of affection as valid

as anything you’ve ever shared with her. .

Eventually, she’ll realize that.

No matter what happens between you :

from now on, you can know you came from
a place of trust, honesty, and love. So much
of your future relationship together willbe
based on how you handle this situation.

Next time, I'll discuss the best way to
tell her.

K K Wilder is a freelance writer work-
ing on a book tentatively titled: I_V_Qt_,§o_Qg1;
 . Write her at
1 7N Champlain #3, Burlington, VT 05401
or write 802-658-0448.

 mentfrompage 11

about how goddess worship brings out the
animal in me). When I'm trying to incite
evolution, true liberation for all of us, I talk
about how different the world would be. (I
don’ t talk about how even lesbian feminists
batter their lovers and kids.) This sort of
propaganda can be very effective in chang-
ing oppressive attitudes. B ut when I pickup
OI'IM, I’m looking for the whole pict11re.I
want us queers to be talking to ourselves,
about whatever we want to, freely.

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